Churches will ‘Rock the Block’

Courtesy photo Live music, bounce houses, face painting and food are all part of the free fun at the Rock the Block party on Saturday.

By Liliana Castillo: CNJ staff writer

Three churches in north Clovis are teaming up to host a block party on Saturday.

The pastors of Highland Baptist Church, Kingswood United Methodist Church and Church of the Brethren held the first Rock the Block party about a year ago.

Chuck Pardy of Highland Baptist said the event is intended to be an afternoon of fun for the families of the community.

“We just want people to know we’re in the neighborhood and we care about you,” Pardy said.

The event will include hot dogs, cotton candy, snow cones, bounce houses, face painting and live music and is free. Christian rock band Thousand Year Reign will perform. Each of the pastors will speak during the event. Fifteen family packs — including a movie, candy, popcorn and Bibles — will be given out by drawing.

Pastor Jim Kelly with the Church of the Brethren said the event helps the churches get acquainted with the neighborhood and vice versa.

“If we’re going to be in ministry together we should know each other,” Kelly said.

Pastor Bachelor with Kingswood said the neighborhood the three churches are in changes often.

“This gives us a neat chance to meet folks in our neighborhood,” Bachelor said. “We get a lot of new airmen and we want to introduce ourselves.”

Bachelor said that one of the reasons people give to not be a part of a church is because Christians are always fighting among themselves.

“And here we have three very different denominations working together so maybe people will think, ‘Maybe my perception about Christians is off,’” he said. “We get blessed by God by working together and we bless those who come.”

Pastor Dean Tuvaville of Highland Baptist will speak at 12:30 p.m., David Bachelor at 1:30 p.m. and Jim Kelly at 2:30 p.m.